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Early life

She was born Maryanne Trump in 5 April 1937 in Queens in New York City, to real-estate developer Fred Trump and Mary MacLeod Trump. She is the elder sister of Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States.[1][2]

Career

Trump passed the bar exam and began practicing as an attorney. She held some public service positions, including as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.[4] She changed her surname to Barry after her second marriage in 1982.

Barry was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on September 13, 1999, and received her commission on September 22, 1999. "I am deeply honored and very grateful for the nomination," Barry told the New Jersey Law Journal in 1999. "I am surprised I was approached on it. I assume that my record is good enough as a district court judge to be reached out to, and I'm glad that politics weren't a priority here."[7]

Barry's reputation on the bench was that of a tough judge with strong command of her courtroom.[5] In 1989, while a district court judge in Essex County, New Jersey, she disapproved a plea bargaining deal that would have freed two county detectives accused of protecting a drug dealer, and forced the case to trial. The detectives were convicted and received jail terms. She also presided over the conviction of Louis Manna, the Genovese crime family boss accused of plotting to assassinate rival John Gotti.[5]

In January 2006, Barry testified in support of the appointment of fellow Third Circuit Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.

On June 30, 2011, Barry assumed senior status. She was ultimately succeeded by Judge Patty Shwartz. Barry took inactive senior status the first week of February of 2017.[8]

Awards

In 2004, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor of the United States Supreme Court presented Barry with an award, named for O'Connor, that the Seton Hall University School of Law gives to women who excel in law and public service. At the presentation ceremony, Barry said, "I say to the women out there, remember how difficult it was for women like Justice O'Connor starting out," adding, "Even though she graduated with top grades, she had to take a job as a legal secretary. Remember how far we have come."[5]